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Human non-olfactory cognition phase-locked with inhalation

Author

Listed:
  • Ofer Perl

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Aharon Ravia

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Mica Rubinson

    (Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Ami Eisen

    (Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Timna Soroka

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Nofar Mor

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Lavi Secundo

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Noam Sobel

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

Abstract

Olfactory stimulus acquisition is perfectly synchronized with inhalation, which tunes neuronal ensembles for incoming information. Because olfaction is an ancient sensory system that provided a template for brain evolution, we hypothesized that this link persisted, and therefore nasal inhalations may also tune the brain for acquisition of non-olfactory information. To test this, we measured nasal airflow and electroencephalography during various non-olfactory cognitive tasks. We observed that participants spontaneously inhale at non-olfactory cognitive task onset and that such inhalations shift brain functional network architecture. Concentrating on visuospatial perception, we observed that nasal inhalation drove increased task-related brain activity in specific task-related brain regions and resulted in improved performance accuracy in the visuospatial task. Thus, mental processes with no link to olfaction are nevertheless phase-locked with nasal inhalation, consistent with the notion of an olfaction-based template in the evolution of human brain function.

Suggested Citation

  • Ofer Perl & Aharon Ravia & Mica Rubinson & Ami Eisen & Timna Soroka & Nofar Mor & Lavi Secundo & Noam Sobel, 2019. "Human non-olfactory cognition phase-locked with inhalation," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 3(5), pages 501-512, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:3:y:2019:i:5:d:10.1038_s41562-019-0556-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-019-0556-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Nozomu H. Nakamura & Hidemasa Furue & Kenta Kobayashi & Yoshitaka Oku, 2023. "Hippocampal ensemble dynamics and memory performance are modulated by respiration during encoding," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Daniel S. Kluger & Carina Forster & Omid Abbasi & Nikos Chalas & Arno Villringer & Joachim Gross, 2023. "Modulatory dynamics of periodic and aperiodic activity in respiration-brain coupling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Thomas Schreiner & Marit Petzka & Tobias Staudigl & Bernhard P. Staresina, 2023. "Respiration modulates sleep oscillations and memory reactivation in humans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Lior Gorodisky & Danielle Honigstein & Aharon Weissbrod & Reut Weissgross & Timna Soroka & Sagit Shushan & Noam Sobel, 2024. "Humans without a sense of smell breathe differently," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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